Perryville in Perry County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lorenz Shoe Store

Photographed by Thomas Smith, July 19, 2025

1. Lorenz Shoe Store Marker

Inscription. The Lorenz family's occupation in Perry County's shoe business began when Gottfried and Johanna Lorenz came to America, settling in what is now Farrar, Missouri in 1840. Gottfried's son, Friedrich August and grandson, Emmanuel, followed in his footsteps. Emmanuel eventually built his son, Joseph Lorenz, two-room shoe shop in Farrar in 1910. Joseph, along with his wife, Frieda Bachmann, moved for a time to Friedheim, then moved to Perryville with their five children to take advantage of the town's schools. At that time, they moved into a shop across from Kiefner Lumber Company in the old Faherty Building at the northeast corner of N. Jackson and North Street. Welcoming daughter Joan in 1931, they moved across from Rozier's store in the old Weber building (now demolished), then purchased the present Lorenz Shoe Store at 17 West St. Joseph Street in 1951. Joseph's son, Roy, his wife, Doris and their family became the next two owners of the store in 1966, and two more generations of the family continue to work here. The Lorenz Shoe Store has been a part of Perry County's commerical history for over 113 years.

Erected 2023

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by Perry County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 37° 43.484′ N, 89° 51.789′ W. Marker is in Perryville, Missouri, in Perry County. It is on St. Joseph Street near S. Jackson Street, on the right when traveling east. Across from Perry Co. Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Perryville MO 63775, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Electric Theater Bey Auditorium (here, next to this marker); Seibel - Otte Building (a few steps from this marker); Bey Building

Photographed by Thomas Smith, July 19, 2025

2. Lorenz Shoe Store Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Buehler's Meat Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Great American Eclipse of 2017 (within shouting distance of this marker); Cashion-Ziegler-Greenwell Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Herbst Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Antoine's Carriage & Upholstery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perryville.

Lorenz Shoe Store Marker - alternate context photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Garrett Koch, July 15, 2026

3. Lorenz Shoe Store Marker - alternate context photo

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 19, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 3. submitted on July 19, 2026, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.